Method and apparatus for applying closures



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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1953 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 768 w. 0 A d H0 II II 49 63 7: 87

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15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Au 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE-'5 Filed May 20, 1933 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 1 /8 H0 g i i 5 /09 I a IH W n 43 53 1 /2 82 I 47 '45 78 8/ 77 o o i 72 '4? 55 EA- 1 g I NA L I 1 l I 50 I l 26 65 5/ I 1- INVENTOR.

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4 T N 57 A TOR EYS Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON 2,011,142

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

- CHRIS T/AN R/NTOV.

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON 2,011,142

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES v Filed may 20, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 DERING FINGE 'limp A TTORNEYS.

I j E; INVENTOR. /4 CHRIST/AN BR/NTON.

,Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES l5 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 20, 1953 m INVENTOR 1' CHRISI'MN 2 BR/NT 1v.

' ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1.935. CHH. BRINTON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR.

cjHR/STMN .BR/NTON. %41l% ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVEN TOR. CHRIS7%ZN TON.

A TTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON 2,011,142

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 XX INVENTOR.

'GHR/ST/AN BR/NTDN.

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON 2,011,142

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 ms 7 f K a /0. H /0/ Q 1 IN in I I N V EN TOR.

CHRIST/AN H. BR/N 7' ON.

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935.

c. 1-1. BRINTON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES 1; Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed May 20, 1933 M m m m CHRISTIAN/1. BR/NTON. iimzmmfw flow ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13, 1935. c. H. BRINTON 2,011,142

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES Filed May 20, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 tzzi z/fl INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING. CLOSURES Christian 11. Brinton, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Standard Cap and Seal Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Virginia Application May 20, 1933, Serial No. 672,051

31 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for aflixing closure or sealing means to containers, and more particularly to a mechanism for providing an efie'ctive destructible seal.

An object of the invention is the provision of mechanism to effectively seal containers in a minimum of time and reduce losses caused by injury to containers or closures.

This invention also includes means adapted for use with the type of sealing apparatus shown herein and also other types wherein bottles of various sizes may be properly fed to a container sealing mechanism or apparatus.

This invention embraces effective means to apply unitary sealing elements to a container from a substantially continuous supply and which automatically provides for successive sealing operations.

The invention includes the provision of control means for the sealing mechanism effective to accurately time the several operations and thus prolong the life of the various mechanisms.

The invention contemplates a novel structure wherein the containers are supplied in accurately timed succession to a sealing mechanism and.

positively released after the sealing operation has been performed.

A further object of the invention resides in an improved mechanismffully adjustable to compensate for wear of parts and to maintain proper timing between the cooperative elements to insure proper sealing of each container..

' Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of a form of machine or apparatus of the invention;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure I with portions broken away for sake of illustration;

Figure III is a top plan view of the machine of the invention shown in Figure II with the sealing wire supply and certain controlling mechanism therefor removed; v

Figure IV is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on a line IV--IV of Figure IH;

Figure IV-A is a fragmentary detail view taken substantially on a line IVA-IVA of Figure IV;

Figure V is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail view of the upper portion of the mechanism shown in Figure IV with the winding spindle turned substantially through 90; Figure V-A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion ofthe mechanism shown in Figure IV:

Figure V1 is a sectional detail view taken sub- 0 stantially on a line VI-VI of Figure V also illustrating diagrammatically various timing of operations and functions in terms of gear and cam movement;

Figure VII is an enlarged detail view taken sub- 15 stantially on a line VIIVII of Figure V;

Figure VIII is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing a form of seal uniting mechanism of the invention;

Figure IX is an enlarged detail view showing a m form of strand or seal element severing mechanism of the invention;

Figure X is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the container feeding mechanism shown in Figure III;

Figure XI is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a portion of the container feeding and positioning mechanism illustrated in Figure X showing another form of star wheel type container positioning means;

Figure XII is a side elevation of the revolving 80 table container supporting structure shown in Figure Ill;

Figure XIII is a fragmentary side elevational view of another portion of the machine shown in Figure I;

Figure XIII-A is a detail sectional view of a portion of the wire clamp actuating means;

Figure XIV is an enlarged detailview of container raising and lowering mechanism shown in 40 rangement of container feed timing mechanism;

Figure XVHI is a side elevation of the. structure shown in Figure XVII;

Figure XIX is an isometric view of container guide structure associated with the conveyor mechanism;

Figure 20K is a sectional detail view of the wire severing knife supporting means shown in Figure IX;

Figure XXI is an isometric view of the wire severing knife shown in Figure IX;

Figure XXII is an isometric view of knife positioning and retaining means shown in Figure XX;

Figure XXIII is a sectional detail view of a portion of the conveyor actuating means taken substantially on a. line XXIII-XXIII of Figure X;

Figure XXIV is a sectional detail view taken substantially on a line XXIV-XXIV of Figure X showing container gauging means forming a part of the invention;

Figure XXV is a perspective view of the container gauge shown in Figure XXIV;

Figure XXVI is an isometric view of a means for supporting the container feeding and positioning wheel;

Figure XXVII is a detail side elevation of a container positioner and gauge shown in Figure XI;

Figure XXVIII is a front elevation of electrical circuit controlling means and cam mechanismforming a part of the invention;

Figure IQCIX is a fragmentary detail view taken substantially on a line XXIXXXIX of Figure II showing the wire supply and supporting means;

Figure XXX is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on a line XXXXXX of Figure V showing a form of brake mechanism for controlling the wire supply;

Figure XXX! is a perspective view showing a form of brake element forming a part of the mechanism illustrated in Figure XXX;

Figure IQIXII is a front elevational view of an electrical circuit controlling structure form-- ing a part of the invention with the housing removed;

Figure XXXIII is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure XXXII;

Figure XXXIV is a top plan View of the mechanism shown in Figure XXXII with the housing shown in section;

Figure )QiXV is a sectional detail view taken substantially on a line XXXV--XXXV of Figure XXXII;

Figure XXXVI is a vertical sectional view through the circuit controlling mechanism taken substantiallyon a line XXXVIXXXVI of Figure XXXII;

Figure XXXVII is a sectional detail view taken substantially on a line XXXVIIXXXVII of Figure XXXII;

Figure XXXVIII is an isometric view of a portion of a switch actuating mechanism forming part of the invention;

Figure XXXIX is an enlarged elevational detail view of a portion of the switch actuating mechanism shown in Figure XIQKVIII:

Figure XXXX is a detail elevation of a portion of the switch mechanism shown in Figure XXXVI;

Figure XXXXI is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of switch actuating mechanism.

It is to be understood that the machine shown for purpose of illustration may be varied widely, still retaining the principles herein indicated. However, in a satisfactorily operating machine for accomplishing the objects hereinbefore set forth, I have provided an arrangement which includes a main drive mechanism, container conveying, positioning and discharge mechanisms, seal positioning, uniting and severing mechanisms, electrical circuit controlling means and other operative means which will hereinafter more fully appear.

The method and apparatus of my invention are herein illustrated as utilized in sealing containers, and more especially bottles, but it is to be understood that I contemplate the utilization of this invention for sealing various types and styles or containers without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The bottles or containers III to be sealed after leaving a filling means or machine (not shown) are suitably supplied to a table or stationary deck ll carried by supports or posts l2 forming portions of a main supporting'frame, also support a housing M containing power transmission gearing and mechanism, this housing also forming part of the frame structure. The containers ID, as they are supplied to the machine, preferably have closures'or caps l5 initially loosely applied thereto, portions of which are to be brought into snug engagement with the container by the apparatus and method of this invention, as for example, portions of the closures underlying the the beads it about the container mouths as shown by dotted lines in Figure II. A plurality of substantially parallel container guides l1 and H are provided which preferably extend across table II and serve to direct or guide the containers during delivery to the container positioning and sealing mechanism, and thence to a receiving station after the sealing operations are completed. As a means for moving the containers ID, a movable conveyor l8 has been positioned adjacent to the guides l1 and I1, the conveyor supporting the containers in a suitable manner. The containers are thus passed between the guides H and I1 into position to be selectively engaged by the teeth of an intermittently movable container separating or timing wheel I9 resembling a turnstile which is positioned adjacent guide IT, for example, and serves to time the delivery of the containers as they are moved along by the conveyor to a star-shaped member or container positioner 20 which removes the containers from the conveyor and properly positions them with respect to the sealing mechanism to be hereinafter described. and subsequently delivers the sealed containers to the conveyor to be carried to a receiving station. The container positioner or star wheel 20 is preferably mounted for rotation on shaft 63 through the medium of a hub or mounting 63'. The wheel 20 being adjustable upon the hub' 63 by means of screws 20' which are oppositely disposed in the wheel 20, and thus, by manipulation of the screws the wheel 20 is adjusted with respect to the shaft 63.

Main drive mechanism Any suitable means such as an electric motor 22 may be employed for operating the various mechanisms that are located both above and below the deck or table II. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the motor 22 is employed for operating a drive shaft 24 by means of a suitable drive connection such as belt 2| between a motor pulley 22' and shaft pulley 24'. Power is transmitted from this drive shaft through the medium of suitable gearing to the various operating mechanisms as will hereinafter more fully appear. The shaft 24 has a worm 26 fixedly mounted thereon which is in mesh; with a worm wheel 21, the worm wheel being: fixed upon a stub shaft 28 on which is also fixed a spur gear 50 forming an integral part of a hub structure carrying worm wheel 21, and a cam supporting bracket 52 externally of said housing I4. The shaft 28 is journalled adjacent its upper end in a bearing 54 carried by the transmission housing cover 55 and at its lower end in a bearing 56 carried by the housing I4. The spur gear 58 is in mesh with a gear I fixed upon a stub shaft 59, which in turn engages a gear 53, this second gear being in mesh with a Geneva drive gear 60 which through the medium of a roller 51 engages the Geneva wheel 62 mounted on the lower portion of shaft 63 carrying the container positioner or star wheel 29. The drive gear 60 has an arm 6| integral therewith, which carries the roller 51 which'roller is adapted to impart intermittent step-by-step movement to the shaft 63 through the wheel .62. In the embodiment shown, one sixth of a revolution is imparted to shaft 63 for each complete revolution of worm wheel 21 and shaft 28. On shaft 63 is positioned a sleeve 64 which carries a gear 65 at its lower end and a pinion 58 at its upper end. Gear 65, in mesh with the gear 68,

is continuously actuated thereby independently of shaft 63.

Extending vertically from the bracket 52- and secured thereto for rotation therewith is a shaft 29 upon which is positioned a plurality of instrumentalities for controlling and actuating the sealing mechanism, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Container conveying, positioning and discharge mechanism The conveyor I8 may be of the link belt type as illustrated, the links or segments of which are joined together to form an endless conveyor and is actuated by means of a sprocket 33 mounted upon a stub shaft 34, journalled in bearings 48 carried adjacent an end portion of table II. The conveyor I8 is also supported adjacent the other end of table II by means of an idler sprocket (not shown) carried on shaft 36. One extremity of shaft 34 is provided with a sprocket wheel 41 which imparts motion to the conveyor I8 from means such as chain 49 driven by a sprocket wheel 61 carried on a shaft 45, a suitable guard at enclosing the sprockets and chain. The shaft 45 is preferably journalled in a bracket 42 adjacent the housing cover 55 as shown in detail in Figure V-A, the bracket being mounted upon the exterior of bearing 48 through which shaft 63 and sleeve 64 extend. Shaft 45 is driven by the pinion 65 on sleeve 64 which engages a second pinion 68 carried by shaft 45. Thus, rotation of pinion 66 through the previously described gearing in housing I4 imparts motion to the conveyor I8. By utilizing sprockets 41 and 61 having the proper number of teeth thereon, the speed of conveyor I8 may be timed in proper relation to supply containers to the star wheel 23. It will be noted that several containers may be placed upon the conveyor at the receiving end thereof and that the contain-er separating or timing wheel I9 permits a single bottle at a time to pass and be engaged by the star wheel 28.

A curved guide or guard 32 has been provided which extends from a point adjacent the separating wheel I9, around a star wheel 29' and to the conveyor as particularly illustrated in Figure X, which guide is preferably secured to table II in estal 10.

any suitable manner. A second guide 33 of substantially S-shape extends from container sealing position to the forward side of the conveyor I8, which guide 33 cooperates with guide 32 to form a channel through which the sealed conilzeiiners pass and are replaced upon the conveyor Provision has been made for the accommoda tion of bottles or containers of various sizes without necessitating material alteration of the mechanism. The conveyor I8 is preferably of a width to accommdoate a quart bottle for example or the largest size container with which the ma.- chine is to be used, and the separating wheel I9 permits the passage of a bottle or container of that size. When it is desirable to acconnnodate the machine to smaller bottles, the container guiding means leading to table II is modified in order that the bottles may be moved into engagement with the wheel I9. This is accomplished by the use of a. supplemental guide member 3| which is insertable adjacent the guide I1, as shown in dotted lines in Figure X. The guide 3Iis removably secured to the chute and includes a side wall portion arranged parallel to a wall or guide I1 and serves to decrease the effective width of the conveyor anddirects the smaller bottles against the opposing wall I1 thereof adjacent to whichis positioned the separating wheel I9.

In order to accommodate smaller bottles, as for example, pints, pints or pints, it has been found desirable to employ a plurality of interchangeable star wheels 20 of appropriate size, preferably one for each size bottle, so that a star wheel having teeth or arms 69 of desired size and configuration may embrace the exterior of the bottle and move the same into sealing position on the pedestal pad 1 I. Adjacent the pedestal pad H is an adjustable stop or bottle positioning gauge 23, which preferably includes a spring pressed arm 38 having projection 39 engageable with each bottle to properly position the same upon the pedestal. The arm carries an adjustable block 31 thereon of irregular contour, the particular po-' sition of this block determining the position of the stop member 39 to accommodate various sizes of bottles. The block 31 is pivoted on arm 38 as at 36, and havingits gauge walls of unequal distances from its pivot point. The block 31 is adapted to be adjusted so that the proper wall engages a fixed surface 35 formed on the guard 32 carried by table It. A knurled knob 58 is carried by the pivot member 35 and serves as man pulating means to change the position of the block 31 relative to surface 35. As block 31 is carried by arm 38, the position of projection 39 is adjusted relative to the vertical axis of the ped- The projection 39 serves as a means to position the bottle properly with respect to the sealing mechanism. An improper adjustment or setting of block serves to give an audible indication to the operator in the following manner. For example, should the block 31 be set for pint bottles, and quart bottles are being supplied there to, the arm 38 would be appreciably moved away from the stop surface 35 and then snap back, caus'ng an audible signal, indicating improper setting of the block. With a proper adjustment there would be little or no relative movement as the projection permits the proper sized bottle to be removed from the sealing position by the star wheel 20, without material movement of arm 39 against the tension of the spring 40.

The table II is provided with an opening to accommodate a bottle supporting :pedestal 19,

which is adapted to be gradually elevated and restored to the plane of the table during the sealing operation to be hereinafter described, which takes place when the pedestal I0 is in the upper range of its movement.

As'particularly illustrated in Figures IV and V-A, mounted upon cam supporting bracket 52 is an elevating cam I4 upon which bottle lift cam roller I5 carried by arm I2 travels to elevate and lower the bottle to be sealed. The bottle pedestal I0 is assembled with a link I3 pivoted to the cam roller supporting lever or arm I2 so as to rise and fall therewith. As illustrated, a pedestal pad or bottle support II is carried at the upper end of a sleeve I6 within which is recipro'cably positioned a plunger or piston 11 at the lower end thereof and is normally held in its lowermost position relative to sleeve I6 by means of a coil spring I8 which abuts at its lower end upon the piston and at its upper end against a shoulder formed on pedestal I0 fixed to the upper end of sleeve I6. The other end of lever I2 is pivoted upon bracket I9 supported upon the gear housing cover 55 in a suitable manner. A retracting cam 8| is also provided upon the bracket 52, which cam at a proper time engages a pin 82 carried by a lever I2 and positively insures return downward movement of pedestal I0 upon completion of the sealing operations.

As the shaft 28 rotates through one complete revolution the bracket 52 and cam I4 rotate therewith, raising and lowering the cam roller I5 and its associated mechanism to elevate and lower the pedestal I0 to enable the pedestal and pad portion 'II to function to elevate a bottle or container to and from the seal applying means. As

" the shaft 28 and the parts thereon rotate, the

sleeve I5 rises and falls due to the normally fixed relation of the piston 11 therewith under the stress of spring I8. The sleeve is guided in its movement by hearing 83 carried in a support 84. If, in the final sealing operation, the bottles should encounter undue strain by reason of bottle size variations or other abnormal causes, the spring I8 will yield to prevent the bottles from breaking, or damaging the mechanism as the piston 11 merely then compresses the spring I8.

Means have been provided to adjust the sealing mechanism to accommodate bottles of various heights which will now be described. To this end, I have provided a movable support which is slidable along the shaft 29 through the bearing 85, and with certain of the posts I2 as through bearings 86 whereby the support 80 may have movement lengthwise of the shaft 29 and posts I2. The casting 81 is fixedly mounted upon the posts I2 and supported on the casting is a stub shaft 9| carrying a bevel gear 89 which meshes with a second bevel gear 93 internally screw threaded and engaging a threaded elevating screw 94. The screw 94 has an unthreaded portion journalled in the support 80 so that this support may be elevated and lowered along the shaft 29. The outer end of the shaft 9| is squared as shown in Figure XIII, so that the bevel pinion 89 may be turned by means of a removable hand crank (not shown) to rotate the bevel gear 93 and screw 94 to elevate or lower the support 80. By this means, the mouthpiece 92 of the sealing means which is also carried by the support 80 through the intermediation of mechanism'to be described, and which is provided to receive the tops of the bottles, may be elevated or lowered to suit the heights of the bottles being operated upon.

The mouthpiece or guide 92 also constitutes a bottle positioner and serves to direct the upper ends of the bottles into a member chuck 90, and also serves to gather the skirt of each bottle closure about the bottle neck preparatory to the application of the sealing ring or band about such closure.

The'star wheel 20 moves each bottle successive- 1y into position on the pedestal pad II to be there elevated to sealing position. As the star wheel turns a portion of a revolution, the timing wheel I9 is permitted to turn sufficiently to allow a bottle to pass along the conveyor past the bottle separating wheel I9. To accomplish this, a collar I09 is keyed or otherwise secured upon star wheel shaft 63, which collar is provided with a series of grooves or indentations IIO. A lever I I2 is pivoted by means of a shaft I08 on table II adjacent the conveyor I8, and has a projection II4 adapted to engage in grooves H0 in collar I09. The shaft I08 also carries an arm I II having a pawl or projection II6 adapted for engagement with ratchet teeth III forming part of wheel I9. A spring I0'I normally urges the projection IIB of arm III in engagement with the ratchet teeth 1. Upon rotation of shaft 63 carrying collar I09 with it, portion H4 rides out of a groove IIO, which moves arm III away from wheel I9, permitting the latter to be rotated by the bottle in contact therewith under the influence of the forward movement of conveyor I8. Thus, as the portion II4 rides out of a groove IIO, one bottle is permitted to pass the wheel I9 to be immediately engaged by an arm of the bottle positioning star wheel 20, and carried to the pedestal I0. The bottle, in being raised by pedestal I0, has its mouth end brought snugly into the chuck which is in axial alignment with the pedestal that carries the bottle. The bottle, upon being elevated, engages and raises a plunger I20 which extends downwardly into the chuck 90, as particularly illustrated in Figure V. The plunger has a stem I2I which is mounted to slide longitudinally in the bore of a winding spindle or sleeve I22, the latter being rotatably mounted in vertically aligned bearings I24 and I25. The bearings I24 and I25 are carried by a casing I00, which casing is in turn supported by posts I2. The upper portion of casing I00 is formed with an integral bracket I21 which pivotally supports a yoke lever I29 having portions I30 cooperating with a grooved collar I32 secured to the winding spindle I22 by means of a pin I 33 extending through the walls of spindle I22. When the plunger I20 is raised by the bottle beneath it, the upper end of the plunger stem I2! lifts the collar I32 through the medium of a pilot screw I36 threadedly engaging the wall of spindle sleeve I22, retainer I31 and nut I38 carried by stem I2I. As pin I33 is secured to the retainer I31 as well as collar I32, movement of stem I2I is transmitted to the collar I32 and yoke lever I29, thus actuating the lever,- upon which is journalled a plurality of cam rollers MI and I42. Roller I4I is adapted for engagement with cam I5I adjustably mounted upon shaft 29, while roller I42 engages a bottle push down cam I52 also carried by the shaft 29 for rotary movement therewith. The groove of the collar I32 accommodates rollers I35 carried by the yoke lever I29 which is intermediately pivoted upon the stub shaft I26 journalled in the end of the bracket I21. The contour of cam I5I is such as to periodically raise collar I32 and parts associated therewith in timed relation with the upward movement of the bottle resting on the pedami es estai it, and. cam 55% functioning as a means to release the sealed bottle from the chuck 90, by cooperation with spring I28 positioned between pilot screw its and sleeve I39 mounted interiorly of and adjacent the lower portion of spindle 322. The spring i28 exerts downward pressure upon the sleeve 939 to urge the latter as well as the plunger E20 normally to their lowermost positions. The chuck 90 has a guiding portion 923 integral therewith which extends within the spindle E22. and is formed with a shoulder portion E26 which periodically engages with the sleeve I39. Thus, when the plunger stem I2I is raised by the bottle and the inner walls of the chuck 90 engage the closure loosely resting on the bottle mouth to properly center the bottleprior to the seal applying operation, any irregularities in the size of the bottle are compensated for by resiliency of spring I28.

Also carried by shaft 29 is a comparatively large wheel I68 which carries a plurality of gear seg- 1 ments I53 and I54, and cam members for controlling and actuating the bottle sealing mechanisms. As illustrated in Figure VI the wheel I48 is keyed as at I41 to shaft 29 and further secured by means of a set screw I46. Mounted upon the wheel H8 is a gear segment I53, a comparatively short gear segment I56, bottle raising and lowering mechanism actuating cam I55, wire sealing cam I51 and wire slackening cam I66. During each revolution of wheel I68, gear segment I53 engages winding spindle rotating gear I60 mounted in fixed relation upon spindle I22, being keyed or otherwise secured thereto as at I58 and during this engagement of this segment and gear the spindle is rotated through substantially one and one half revolutions, carrying the wire winding mechanism therewith which will now be described.

Seal wire winding, uniting and severing mechanism The sleeve I22 is provided for winding or affixing a strand of wire of suitable material I65 about the skirts of bottle closures. The. strand of wire is directed upon the skirts by being passed through a guiding nozzle or member I63 which is carried by the lower portion I23 of sleeve I22. The discharge end of the nozzle is located sumciently away from the axis of the plunger stem I2I as to enable the nozzle, in being revolved around the bottle and closure, to suitably apply the wire or strand I65 to the skirt thereof. The wire winding mechanism includes a reel I61 which is jour nalled forrotation upon an upright bracket I69 secured to the upper end of spindle or sleeve I22 by means such as clamp screw I1I, whereby the without undue friction between the convolutionsof the wire supply thus avoiding crowding of the wire. The tube I14 is disposed parallel with the axis of rotation of said sleeve and terminates above the wire guiding nozzle I63. The wire, after issuing from the lower end of the tube I16 contacts witha'n idlerguiding wheel I16 which is journalled upon a pin I16 carried by the sleeve I22. The wire, after passing the pulley H5, ex tends through a guiding bore I11 in the nozzle E68,

this bore directing the wire through the nozzle outlet opening H8. The end portion of the wire which has passed through the guiding nozzle is clamped between the members I80 and i8 I, shown in detail in Figure XVI, and which constitute a temporary anchorage for the wire in order that the same may be held at one end, during the rotation of the nozzle about the bottle and closure in sealing position effect a winding of wire therearound. The wire remains clamped while the nozzle turns substantially one and one-half times about the bottle. The clamping or retaining of the wire effected by the coaction of members I80 and I8I is accomplished at the initiation of a cycle of operations and during the time that the bottle is being moved to sealing position. The clamping member I8I is relatively stationary, be-

,ing desirably part of the tapering guide 92, and

the wire engaging surface thereof is preferably roughened or corrugated to prevent slipping of the wire from the clamping mechanism. The movable clamping member I80 is pivoted at I88 upon a portion of guide 92 that is carried by the upper housing, the clamping member I80 being formed with an arm which pivotally receives the end of an actuating rod I81 which extends up-.

wardly and is connected by means of a lost motion connection to the lever I29. This connection includes a rod I86 slidably supported in a member I85, the rod threadedly engaging a socket housing I 89. which embraces a ball I! forming apart of pin I 92 in turn carried by yoke lever I29". A spring I94 surrounds the rod I86 and is interposed between collar I96 and the upper end of member I85, and tends to resist relative movement between rod I86 and rod I81, yet providing for lost motion therebetween. Thus, the yoke lever I29 is periodically actuated to raise ball and socket joint, moving the rod I81 to effect the clamping action. The spring I94 being compressed during the clamping action on the end of the sealing wire when the clamping members are released, the spring I94 serves to resiliently return the clamping elements to normal or wire releasing position. These elements are so arranged that the clamping member I80 will be actuated to clamping position Just prior to the initiating of the cycle of wire winding operations,

and will remain in wire clamping position until after the overlapping wire portions are cemented or bonded together and the cement or bond is congealed. The wire is severed adjacent to but after the passage of the wire carrying nozzle, just before the wire clamping member I80 is released, which release occurs upon the arrival of the cam roller I62 at a suitably shaped raised portion of the cam I52. When the wire nozzle has been rotated one and a half times about the bottle neck to completely encircle the closure with wire and elfect a predetermined overlap thereof, the fluxing, bonding, cementing or sealing means is brought into operation, as will later appear.

By means of-mechanism which will be presentlyperiod of this engagement and the severing of the wire occurring during the remaining period of such engagement as will hereinafter appear. 

